Image of Aralia racemosa
Source: Bibliothèque Université Laval
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image of Flowering plant
Aralia racemosa
American Spikenard
Aralie à grappes

Synonyms

anis sauvage
grande salsepareille
No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom Colour: Green Bloom Period: Jul - Aug
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 4.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
container suitable Suitable for container garden
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Tolerates:
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Aralia racemosa
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Aralia racemosa

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Aralia racemosa

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
  • Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)
  • Polygonatum odoratum (Solomon's Seal)
  • Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
  • Aegopodium podagraria (Goutweed)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Scarify and cold moist stratify.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non-seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Can be toxic if ingested. Sources do not specify which species but assume all.